New York · State Reference
New York Auctioneer
Requirements
New York does not require a state issued auctioneer license. New York City repealed its own auctioneer and auction house license requirements in 2022. Other cities, including Yonkers, still require their own local license. There is no state auction exam.
Requirements Checklist
- No state auctioneer license anywhere in New York.
- New York City no longer requires an auctioneer or auction house license, since Local Law 80 of 2021 repealed that requirement, effective June 15, 2022.
- Auctions in New York City remain subject to general consumer protection, arts and cultural affairs, and fraud law, even without a licensing requirement.
- The City of Yonkers still actively requires an auctioneer license through its own Consumer Protection Bureau.
- New York towns have general statutory authority to license auctioneers under New York Town Law Section 136.
New York City Repealed Its Auction License in 2022
New York City used to require an auction license, administered by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. As part of a broader post pandemic regulatory rollback, the City Council repealed that requirement, along with a separate Auction House license, effective June 15, 2022, under Local Law 80 of 2021. A related set of city rules requiring disclosure of auction practices and reserve price information was separately repealed just before that, effective April 10, 2022.
This does not mean auctions in New York City are unregulated. New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, General Business Law, UCC Article 2, and common law protections against fraud and misrepresentation all still apply.
Yonkers Still Requires a License
Other New York cities have made different choices than New York City. The City of Yonkers, for example, still actively requires an auctioneer license through its own Consumer Protection Bureau. Requirements include a notarized application, a Police Department affidavit, two passport style photos, and a $5,000 bond.
Why Education Still Matters Without a Licensing Exam
New York does not require an exam, but understanding the fundamentals, including the chant, contract handling, ethics, and running a professional auction business, is precisely the kind of practical knowledge that protects you from avoidable mistakes.
Ready to build real auction skills? Missouri Auction School's training covers the chant, contract and consignment handling, and financial account management that sellers depend on.
View the New York CourseSources
- NYC311, Auctioneer License and Auction House License pages
- Local Law 80 of 2021, New York City, repealing NYC Administrative Code Title 20, Chapter 2, Subchapter 13
- National Law Review, New York City Lifts Rules Governing Auctions, law firm analysis
- City of Yonkers Consumer Protection Bureau, Auctioneer License Application
- New York Town Law Section 136, town licensing authority
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to be an auctioneer in New York?
No, not at the state level, and as of June 2022, not in New York City either. NYC repealed its own longstanding auctioneer license requirement. However, other New York cities, like Yonkers, still require their own local license, so check your specific location.
When did New York City stop requiring an auctioneer license?
June 15, 2022, when Local Law 80 of 2021 took effect, repealing NYC's auctioneer and auction house licensing requirements as part of a broader post pandemic business deregulation effort.
Does NYC's repeal mean auctions there are completely unregulated?
No. General consumer protection laws, New York's Arts and Cultural Affairs Law, the UCC, and common law fraud protections still apply. What is gone specifically is the licensing requirement and some related disclosure mandates, like mandatory reserve price disclosure.
Do all New York cities follow NYC's approach?
No. Yonkers is a clear counterexample, still actively requiring its own auctioneer license with a notarized application, police affidavit, and $5,000 bond. Most cities do not have auction regulations. Always confirm requirements directly with the specific city or county where you plan to hold your auction.